The Sage of the Supply Chain, Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple is moving along in the planning stages of releasing a folding iPhone. That’s good news although it’s likely the folding iPhone will be a 2026 release.
Previous reports suggested the folding iPhone was preparing to to ramp up production but that was a mis-translation of Kuo’s original comments – as great reminder that when it comes to AI, we should verify before trusting. Kuo’s comments, in English, can be read on Medium.
Of greater interest in my view is that Apple will be moving towards eSIM only phones. While this means it will be able to make the phones thinner, it does create some market challenges. For example, one of the largest markets in the world, China, ‘promotes’ that all phones have a physical SIM. And there will be consternation among carriers that will have to support users transition away from physical SIMs when they update their iPhones.
Kuo says with some confidence that we’ll see a new iPhone SE around April or May 2025. That’s good news as it is likely the new iPhone SE, the fourth generation of Apple’s entry level iPhone, will enable users to access Apple Intelligence without breaking the bank.
Overall, Kuo suggests Apple will face a challenging year. With the Trump administration threatening to impose significant tariffs on Chinese imports, Apple has been importing iPhones at higher volumes to ensure a supply before tariffs impact profitability.
Anthony is the founder of Australian Apple News. He is a long-time Apple user and former editor of Australian Macworld. He has contributed to many technology magazines and newspapers as well as appearing regularly on radio and occasionally on TV.